Sports

Force family reigns over Mile-High Nationals

Team owner sends three of his four cars to finals

Courtney Force burns out in the Funny Car competition in the second round of the MOPAR Mile High Nationals at Bandimere Speedway on Sunday. (John Leyba / The Denver Post)

MORRISON — As if he was calling a family meeting Sunday, owner/driver John Force sent three of his four cars to the finals at Bandimere Speedway. The 65-year-old grandfather who always seems to be on a caffeine high could hardly contain his glee.

"I knew we had a win-win situation in funny car, but I wanted to see my girl get that top fuel win," Force said after the 35th Mopar Mile-High Nationals. "I didn't want her to be the bridesmaid."

Force, the legendary 16-time funny car world champion, raced his son-in-law, Robert Hight, in the funny car final. The force was with Hight, who covered 1,000 feet in 4.166 seconds (306.05 mph) to easily beat the tire-smoking Force.

In top fuel, Force's 28-year-old daughter, Brittany Force, advanced to the final against J.R. Todd. The force was with Todd, who went 3.878 seconds (317.87 mph) to nose out Force.

Todd ruined a John Force Racing nitro-division sweep, but John Force was still the biggest winner of the day. He and his cars finished 11-3 with an event championship and two runners-up — and sent all four to the quarterfinals.

Allen Johnson (pro stock) and Andrew Hines (pro stock motorcycle) also won division titles on a day that featured a brief rain delay before the finals.

JFR's fourth driver, Courtney Force — the owner's youngest daughter — made it to the funny car quarterfinals before being eliminated by Hight, who is married the owner's eldest daughter, Adria, JFR's chief financial officer.

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"We had a great weekend," John Force said. "I'm very proud of my race teams."

Family means business for Force, who led a 1-2 JFR funny car qualifying effort and just missed on winning his second straight title at Bandimere. But he'll still collect the lion's share of Hight's winnings and undoubtedly celebrate in style.

"John's buying," Hight said of Sunday's celebration family dinner.

Todd's victory over Brittany Force was his first at Bandimere since 2008; his first was in 2006. Todd prevented Brittany's first triumph.

"That definitely crossed my mind," Todd said. "I got my first win here in 2006, and that team (Brittany Force) is running really well this year. They seem like they get better every race."

Brittany fell to 0-3 in the finals this year (14 races), but those around her believe it's just a matter of time.

"I know (Don) Schumacher (Racing) has (swept the nitro divisions) a lot of times, but we haven't had a dragster until last year," Hight said. "It's coming. You're going to see JFR double up before the year is over."

Said Brittany: "I'm proud of everything at JFR, proud to call these guys my team."

Johnson won for the sixth time at Bandimere after competing in his eighth consecutive final round. Jeg Coughlin Jr. fouled at the start line in a all-Dodge final.

"This team just continues to find a way to do it. My guys, they step up, and I step up when I need to," Johnson said. "It's deep in our gut."

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